Statement on the IMA from the Permanent Secretary

The NIO invited The National Archives to review its information management processes and systems as part of the Information Management Assessment programme run across government. The outcomes of this review are contained in the IMA Report now published on the NIO website.

I welcome the Report and its Recommendations and am pleased to see the positive conclusions it draws on information management in the Department. The review identified several areas of good practice already in place within the NIO. It also, through the IMA Action Plan, has identified ways the NIO can continue to improve its information management and address challenges created by technological change.

The Northern Ireland Office recognises the importance of meeting its responsibilities to effectively manage, protect and exploit its information. As well as ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, good information management assists organisations to function effectively and ensure that the record of the future is preserved.

The NIO has begun implementing the Recommendations contained in the Action Plan and looks forward to continually improving its information management practices. As part of this the NIO is happy to continue its support of the IMA programme.

Sir Jonathan Stephens, KCB

Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland Office